Through lecture, discussion, small groups, site visits, participants will gain the tools to create sustainable, ecologically based homes, farms, businesses and communities.

Tucked into the foothills of the Maya Mountains, two miles up river from the village of San Pedro Columbia in southern Belize, Maya Mountain Research Farm is a working demonstration farm and registered NGO that promotes sustainable agriculture, appropriate technology and food security using permaculture principles and applied biodiversity. With over 26 years of organic management and conversion from an abandoned citrus and cattle farm to a biologically diverse polyculture, MMRF is one of Central Americas oldest permaculture farms. Students who attend this course get a chance to learn permaculture in a venue that is the product of decades worth of permaculture design work.

Cost: USD1500/B$3000 if paid after January 15th. Early bird discount,USD1250/B$2500

Includes organic farm fresh meals, all course materials and expeditions*, comfortable accommodation at the farm, and a certificate of Permaculture Design upon completion of the course. For details, or to register, please contact Christopher at info(at)mmrfbz.org

Scholarships for this course are being offered in memory of the late Anne Bulford. Anne Bulford graduated Antioch College, was active in organic agriculture, working at Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association, and died in November 2008, of cancer. Applicant for this must be Belizean, working in agriculture or community development in Belize, and be a farmer, an extension officer, or a community leader.

To apply, please contact Christopher Nesbitt with a description of the work you are doing, a resume or CV, and an explanation of why you would like to take this PDC.

*fees for entry into National Parks or Maya Archaeological Sites must be paid by the students.